Republicans put off House vote again on GOP health care bill

Posted: 11:12 pm Thursday, April 27th, 2017

By Staff Writer

Even with another major push to get Republicans on board with a plan to overhaul the Obama health law, House GOP leaders were unable to bring the bill to the floor for a vote on Friday, still short of the support needed to squeeze out a majority for a major campaign promise.

A day of arm twisting finally ended around 10 pm on Thursday night, as House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) told reporters that there would be no vote on Friday or Saturday on health care, and that Republicans would try again next week.

“We’re going to go when we have the votes,” Speaker Paul Ryan had told reporters earlier in the day, as it became painfully evident for the GOP in the hours after that statement – again – that they were short on votes.

no surprise but House leaders made it official late tonight – no vote on Obamacare repeal until AT LEAST next week.

“I think the recent amendments to the health care bill have been very significant,” said Rep. Trent Franks (R-AZ), a member of the more conservative House Freedom Caucus, who said he was ready to vote for the bill this time.

“I commend President Trump, Vice President Pence, Speaker Ryan, and my colleagues for keeping the lines of communication open, which has ultimately led to a better bill,” said Rep. Jody Hice (R-GA), another Freedom Caucus member who was ready to vote “Yes.”

The bigger problem was the reluctance of more moderate Republicans to back the plan, as many said they felt like it was a step backward.

Centrist PA Rep Ryan Costello is a NO bc of rolling back preexisting condition requirement. Big loss for leaders